Process of and apparatus for administering an



(ModeL) I S. J; HAYES. PROCESS QF AND APPARATUSTOR ADMINISTER'ING ANAESTHETIOS.

I No. 257,866. Patented May 16, 1882.

N. PETERS. Plmmunm m her, washm wn, D. C.

UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

sAMUEn'JrHAYEs, E PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR ADMINlSTERlNG ANESTHETICS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 257,866, dated May 16, 1882. A

Application filed March 17, 1881. (ModeL) Figure 1 indicates my lmproved apparatus for generating anaesthetic vapors and aerating and applying the anaesthetic elements under pressure to the subject or patient. Fig. 2 indicates asectionat elevation of the generator and aerator.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts wherever they occur.

My invention relates, first, to a new and useful 7 process of generating anzestheticvapor and of aerating and applyingthe anaestheticelements, which consists in placing theliquid anaesthetic in a suitable vessel or chamber and forcing currents of air into and through the liquid, and also at the same time, or simultaneous] y, injecting counter currents of air into and through the vapors as formed, whereby the liquid molecules orthe moisture of the vapor is disturbed and a light attenuated vapor containing the anzesthetic elements and having the necessary properties to support respiration and life is produced at the will of the administrator and in accordance with the demands or needs of the patient in the various stagesof anaesthesiawhile being anaesthetized; and, secondly, it consists in an improved apparatus adapted to the use of this myimprovement.

Heretofore, so far as I am aware, the process of passing currents of atmospheric air through a liquid anaesthetic to be inhaled, and

of forcing counter-currents of air into and through the vapors thus formed, whereby the ether is more finely divided, so as to support respiration and life while producing anaesthesia and in such a manner as not to endanger health and life, has not been used or known. The old methods are objectionable in consequence of the heavy nature or quality of the vapor administered, and its inj urious or poisonous effects upon the patient,

The object of myinvention is to secureaprocess of forced aeration by injecting currents of atmospheric air into and through liquid anaesthetics-such as sulphuric ether, chloroform, .or any'liquid anaesthetic-and by injecting counter-currents of air into and through the vapors thus formed, whereby the molecules of the vapor are disturbed and the heavy nature or quality of the vapor is changed to a light attenuated vapor, and at the same time to increase or diminish the supply or percentage of the anaesthetic elements or of the pure atmospheric air in order to contain the necessary properties to support respiration and life and furnish a more agreeable and desirable anmsthetic than has previously been known or in I shall now proceed to describe my improved apparatus which I use in carrying out my invention, or in. preparing and administering this more agreeable and desirable anzesthetic.

tened cylindrical vessel having an internalindependent chamber. The chamber B is provided with a pipe, (1, leading from its top down into the lower portion. The lower portion of the pipe 0 extends horizontally almost across the bottom of the chamber, and is provided at its base and near its upper portion with a series of perforations to admit the passage of air into the liquid placed in the lower portion of the chamber, and at the same time, or simultaneously, produce counter-currents of air to dispel the heavy vapor, or to disturb or divide the molecules of the vapor. The upper end of this pipe 0 is so formed that it projects laterally and receives one end of an elasticair-tube, D, which enters through the side of the exterior vessel, A. The other end of this air-tube D is connected with a foot-bellows, E, which is placed upon the floor near the operating chair. The top of the chamber B is provided with a flap-valve, F, to admit the insertion of the liquid and for the passage of the vapors in red The operation of my improvement is as fol-.

lows: The liquid anaesthetic is charged into the vessel B, until it is about two-thirds full,

through an opening, I, in the side of the vesselA. Thedoorof the opening I is then closed, and whenever it is desired to administer the anaesthetic to the patient the mouth-piece of the chamber or vesselAis brought in line with and applied to the face of the patient and the bellows worked, the air forced under pressure from the bellows through the elastic tube D into and through the'perforated pipe 0 into the chamber B. The currents of air arising through the liquid evaporize a portion of it, and this vapor is surcharged with countercurrents of air as it rises into the upper portion of the chamber, producing a light attenuated vapor of a pleasant and agreeable nature, and having the necessary qualities to support respiration and life. When a sufficient pressure is obtained the flap-valve F opens and this light vapor passes into the upper portion of the outer chamber, A, and from thence out of the face-piece to the patient.

In constructing the air-induction pipe 0 it may also, if desired, be provided with a series of perforations at its upper end to admit aircurrents into the upper portionof the vessel A.

I am aware that currents of air have been forced through various liquids for the purpose of assisting evaporation, and in some cases to applymedicinal liquids, and with a spray to apply anaesthetics locally; but the ether-spray throws a liquid spray as well as a current of air. I am not aware that it has ever been proposed to vaporize anaesthetics by the application of air under pressure and then surcharge the vapor thus produced with counter-currents of air to divide the liquid particles or molecules of the vapor, and.thus deprive it of its irritating and poisonous effects upon the air-cells of the lungs and bronchial tubes, as well as in the blood, and at the same time to furnish the necessary air to support respiration and life, and thereby avoid-the injurious and poisonous or disagreeable effects upon the patient.

Havingdescribed my invention, what Iclaim, and desire to receive by Letters Patent, is

1. The process herein described of generatin g anaesthetic vapors and of aerating and ap plying the anzesthetic elements to the patient, which consists in charging the liquid into a suitable vessel or receiver and subjectingit to the action of a series ofair-currents,and of surcharging the vapor arising therefrom with countercurrents of atmospheric air under pressure, whereby a light agreeable anaesthetic vapor having the necessary properties to support respiration and life is produced or developed and administered under pressure, substantially as herein described.

2. The vessel A; containing the chamber B, and having the perforated air-induction pipe 0, substantially as set forth. 7

3. The combination of the vesselA with an interior generating-chamber, B, and an air-induction pipe,G, with an elastic tube, D, and an air-forcing device, constructed and arranged substantially as herein set forth.

FRANK M. Reese, GEO. F. TURNER. 

